Locomotive underframe



1946 M. P. BLOMBERG ETAL LOCOMOTIVE UNDERFRAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledDec. 13, 1945 @z/ Jaw Oct. 22, 1946 p BLQMBERG ETVAL 2,409,730

LOCOMOTIVE UNDERFRAME Filed Dec. 13, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nventon1Oct. 22', 1946. M. P. BLOMBERG ET AL LOCOMOTIVE UNDERFRAME Filed Dec}.15, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet s" w v Inventors Wezfizzffl/wzkyl a @Za/dttomeys Oct. 22, 1946.

M. P. BLOMBERG ETAL LOCOMOTIV E UNDERFRAME Filed Dec. 13 1943 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 22, 1946 LOCOMOTIVE UNDERFRAME Martin P.Blomberg, Hinsdale, 111., and Olaf J. Stampen, Arlington, Va., assignorsto General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of DelawareApplication December 13, 1943, Serial No. 514,070

16 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the construction of underframes forlocomotives of the Diesel-electric type, and more particularly thoseemployed for switching purposes.

Such locomotives are built in several different sizes, depending uponthe amount of horsepower they are intended to produce, usually beingrated as 600 H. P., 1000 H. P., and higher capacity locomotives.Heretofore it has been the'practice to design and build difierent typesof underframe for each size of locomotive, for one reason because it isnecessary to put considerably more weight into a higher horsepowerlocomotive than in a lower rated one, in order to provide the necessarytraction to properly utilize the additional power when starting orpulling heavy loads or up grades. Also, it has generally been thepractice to produce such underframes by the casting method, whichnecessitated the building of separate patterns for each size oflocomotive underframe, and required diiierent jigs and equipment formachining each size of underframe. This of course increased greatly thecost of manufacture of such underframes, and slowed down the rate ofproduction thereof.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide an underframestructure which may be made the same ize and design for severaldifierent rated capacity Diesel-electric switching locomotives, andwhich may be used as it is built for the lowest powered type, and isadapted to have weight added to it in the form of ballast bars when itis to be used for a higher powered locomotive, the amount of weightadded being variable to produce just the desired amount of traction forthe power available. Since only one size of unclerframe need be built,production of it may be standardized, resulting in greatly reduced costsof production, and since it is a furtherobject of the invention to buildsuch underframes of steel plates and bars welded together, rather thanto make themof castings, a still further reduction in the cost of makingthem is brought about, and the rate at which they may be produced isgreatly speeded up.

The weight added in the form of ballast bars may also be utilized tobalance the amount of load carriedby each of the trucks. This may beaccomplished by placing more of the ballast bars in the underframe atthe lighter end of the locomotive.

Furthermore, since the underframes are constructed of steel plates andbars welded together, sub-assemblies consisting of certain groups ofthese plates and bars may be built up and joined cial jigs and fixturesdesigned to insure greater accuracy and to speed up production, andthereafter these various sub-assemblies may be brought together andwelded to each other to produce the complete underframe.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent upon reference to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a locomotive underframe embodyingour invention, with parts broken away to show certain features of thestructure in section;

Fig, 2 is a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is asectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, taken on the line l--'| of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 8a is a view showing one of the details of construction inperspective;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a modified form ofconstruction;

Fig, 10 is a plan view of the form of structure shown in Fig. 9;

Fig, 1-1 is a sectional view, taken on the line ll li of Fig, 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view, taken on the line 12-42 ofFig.9;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing another modified formof construction embodying our invention: V

Fig, 14 is a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view, taken on the line l5--l5 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on the line IG-lB of Fig. 13.

The reference numeral 2 indicates a relatively wide and thick base platewhich extends the entire length of the locomotive, but which is not aswide as the underframe, being of the width indicated in Figs. 3, 6 and7. Connected to the lower surface of this plate at each end thereof bywelding is a coupler pocket 4. Circular openings 6 are formed throughthe plate in line with the centers of the trucks which are indicatedgenerally at 8, and which are shown in Fig. 1 in dot-anddash lines sincethey form no part of the present invention. Center bearing members IE],which serve to connect the trucks to the underframe in the usual manner,project into these openings and are Welded therein and to the lowersurface of the plate. 9 are side bearing members welded to the undersurface of plate 2, and II are stops bolted thereto, which serve tolimit the swiveling movement of the trucks relative to the underframeand also interlock the body and trucks to prevent the separation of thetrucks from the body when the latter is lifted by a crane or jack, or incase of a derailment.

As best shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 7, resting on top of the plate 2 at eachside thereof and welded to its edges are relatively narrow base platesI2, which extend almost the full length of the underframe, terminatingshort of the ends thereof to provide room for steps at each corner ofthe underframe, which step construction will be described presently.Abutting against the outer side edges of the plates I2 and weldedthereto are vertically extending side members I4, which are of the samelength as the plates l2.. Transversely extending members I5, I8, 2i] and22 are welded at their ends to the side members I4, and have their loweredges welded to the plates 2 and I2. Jacking pads 23, which are providedto accommodate a jack or a crane cable used to lift the locomotive, arewelded to the underside of the plates I2 and the side members I4adjacent to the transverse center line of each truck.

Secured to the end edges of the plates I2 and extending almost the fullwidth of the underframe at each end thereof are end members 24, therebeing push pole pockets 26 welded to the ends of these members, theopposite side of such pockets being welded to the ends of the sidemembers I4 as shown in Fig. i. Secured to the lower edge of the members24 are. plates 28 which have angle members 29 welded to them to supporthorizontally extending tread plates 30 and vertically extending riserplates 32 which form the'steps. As best shown in Fig. 3, verticallyextending end plates 34' are cut to fit around the draft gear pockets.4. and are welded to the ends of the plate 2.

The tread and riser plates of the steps are supported at their oppositeend by being secured to the end plates 34. A plate 38 serving to supportthe lowermost tread and riser plate is Welded to the lower edge of theend plate adjacent the outer end thereof, as shown in Fig. 3, or thismay be formed as an integral part of the end plate 34.

A relatively heavy plate 49 extends from the end plate to the member 24,being welded at each end to these members and serving as the top riserof the steps. Platform plates 42 are supported on top of the plates 40,the end plates 34 and the members 24, being welded imposition thereon.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 6, relatively heavy bars 44 extend betweenthe cross members I8 and 29, having their ends welded thereto and theirlower edges welded to the upper surfaces of the plates I2 adjacent theinner edges thereof. T- shaped members 4i: extend between the crossmembers I6, I8, 2!) and 22, being welded thereto and having their loweredges welded to the upper surface of the plates I2 adjacent the middleportion thereof. Adjacent the ends of the side members I 4, triangularportions 41 bent from the plate 28, as shown in Fig. 8a, are welded tothe lower edge of the side members to form gusset sections serving tobrace the step structure.

Floor plates 48 rest on top of the bars 44, the T- members 46 and strips50 welded to the upper edges of the side members I4. These plates mayextend over the entire area of the underframe, or

may only cover certain portions thereof, leaving other portions open topermit supporting the engine, generator and other heavy equipmentdirectly on the plate 2. In the sections where the floor plates may haveto be removed to permit access to piping or wiring, the plates will besecured to the members they are supported on by screws or otherfastening means, while in the positions where they do not need to beremovable, they may be welded to the supporting members.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the strips 59 project outwardly beyond theside members I4. This serves to provide a flange or ledge to which grabirons or railings may be bolted. and in addition results in bringing theouter faces of the side members well within the over-all width of thelocomotive, thereby eliminating the necessity for machining these faces.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 to 12, since several ofthe elements used are substantially the same as those in that justdescribed, they are given the same reference numerals in Figs. 9 to 12,and it will be understood that they are assembled and function in themanner previously described, In this construction, the center bearingsI0 are mounted in transversely and horizontally extending relativelythick base plates I82, to the upper surface of which are weldedtransversely extending members H8 spaced on opposite sides of the centerbearings. The plates I02 are tied together by heavy side members II 4 towhich the plates I02 and members H8 are welded at their ends, and bylongitudinally extending base plates H2 and members I44, the ends of theformer being welded to the side edges of the plates I02, and the ends ofthe members I44 being welded to the side faces of the members IIB, thelower edges of the members I44 being Welded to both the plates I02 andH2.

Adjacent the ends of the underframe, transversely extending end membersI24 are provided, and these are welded to the ends of the side membersIi Transversely extending base plates I52 are welded both to the sidebars and to members I24, and extend outwardly between the steps to theend plates 34. The plate I52 may be formed of a single piece, thecorners of which are cut out to accommodate the steps, or may be formedof two plates of difierent lengths welded together. The construction ofthe steps and associated structure is substantially the same as in thepreviously described form. Transversely extending members IIS have theirlower edges welded to the plates I52 and their ends welded to the sidemembers I I4.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 13 and 16, the samereference numerals are again used to refer to elements which aresubstantially the same as those used in the other two forms previouslydescribed, Here the heavy transverse base plates 202 carrying the centerbearings I0 have heavy longitudinally extending members 2 I 5 welded totheir upper surfaces. These members are spaced inwardly from the ends ofthe plates 20-2, and extend the entire length of the underframe, therebeing longitudinally extending base plates 2I2 welded to the lowersurfaces of these members, the ends of the plates 2I2 being welded tothe plates 202. Spaced on opposite sides of the center bearing aretransversely extending members M8, the lower edges of which are weldedto the plates 202 and the ends of which are welded to the members 2I5.Side members 2I4 are welded to the upper surfaces of the plates 202 atthe ends thereof and extend to the region of the steps, where they havethe push pole pockets 26 welded to them, short end members 224 beingwelded at one end to the push pole pockets, the opposite end of thesemembers being welded to the members 2 I5.

Adjacent the ends of the underframe, horizontally extending base plates2II are welded to the lower surfaces of the members 2I5, and serve tosupport the end plates 34 and the step structure, which is ofsubstantially the same construction as that previously described. Heavytransverse members 2I9 have their lower surfaces weldedv to the top ofthe plate 2I'I and their ends Welded to the members 2I5. Relativelyshort heavy members 22I are welded to the top of the plates 202 adjacentthe center thereof, one end of each of these members being Welded to theside members M4 and the other to the members 2I-5.

In each of the forms of underframe described, certain sections may beput together as sub-assemblies, the parts thereof being held in properrelation to each other on jigs by suitable fixtures while they are beingwelded toegther. This permits distributing portions of the work tovarious parts of the shop and makes it possible to employ as many men onthe job as desired, which would not be the case if the whole underframehad to be assembled piece by piece in one place. After the varioussub-assemblies have been made, they are brought together, and may bequickly welded to each other to form the complete underframe, therebyreducing the amount of labor required and lowering considerably the costof production and speeding up the rate thereof.

It will be noted that in all three forms of under frame described, thereare numerous longitudinally and transversely extending passageways whichare either open at their tops or are covered by relatively light floorplates which may easily be removed, which passageways may be utilized tohouse the piping and wiring of the locomotive, thus simplifying theinstallation of such equipment and making it readily accessible forinspection or repairs. Since many of these passageways are open at theirtops, the piping or wiring carried in them may be readily brought up tothe power equipment or controls without requiring the drilling of holesthrough the floor,

as is the case with cast underframe structures.

Each of the forms of underframe structure disclosed is intended for usewhen constructed as described for the lowest rated horsepower locomotiveof a given range, the construction being designed to have the properamount of weight to produce the necessary traction for the availablepower. For'example, the structures shown are designed for use on 600 H.P. switching locomotives. They may also be used, however, on 1000! H. P.or even larger switching locomotives by simply adding sufficient weightto them to produce the necessary amount of traction to take care of theadditional power.

In the form of unclerframe shown in Figs. 1 to 8, this weight may beadded in the form of ballast consisting of billets 60 of relativelylowcost iron or steel placed on top of the plate 2 between the members 44,and billets 6| placed between the members I6-I8 and 20-22. Relativelylong billets 62 may be placed in the spaces between the T-members 46andthe side members I4, and other billets 63 inserted in thespaces betweenthe memablemanner, to prevent them from shifting during operation of thelocomotive. I

Similarly, in the underframe structure show in Figs. 9 to 12, billetsI60 may be placed between the members H6 and H8, their ends restinguponthe plates I02 and I52, and long billets I62 may be placed adjacent theside members II4, being supported at each end upon the plates I02. Otherbillets I63 may be inserted in the spaces between the members H6 andI24, being supported on top of the plates I52, and shorter billets I64may be plates 2I'I between the members 2I5 at each end of theunderframe.

As shown in the drawings, all of the aforementioned billets are madesomewhat smaller than the spaces they are intended to fit into, becausethey are merely rough pieces which do not have finished surfaces andconsequently may vary considerably in size and shape. By having them ofa nominal size, quite a bit smaller than the spaces they are adapted tobe received in, billets which run oversize or which are of slightlycurved shape will fit into the spaces provided for them in theunderframe structure.

Another purpose the ballast elements may be used for is to balance theweight on the trucks of the locomotive. Since it is usually considereddesirable to have approximately the same amount of weight on each of thetrucks, if it is found that with a particular arrangement of powerapparatus and equipment, there is considerably more weight at one end ofthe locomotive than at the other, the billets may be shifted toward thelighter end in order that the weight distribution may be equalized.

It will be seen that we have thus provided alternative forms ofunderframe structures, any of which may be built in quantity productionwith resulting lower costs, and which may be used for locomotives ofdifferent horsepower ratings, simply by adding the necessary amounts ofballast in spaces available for that purpose.

While specific embodiments of our invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be understood that various changes in design orassembly of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an underframe structure, the combination of a plurality ofhorizontally extending base plates having their contacting edge portionswelded together, center bearings secured to certain of said base plates,longitudinally extending members welded to the edges of certain of saidbase plates, transversely extending end and intermediate members weldedto certain of said base plates, said intermediate members having theirend edges welded to the longitudinally extending members.

2. In an underframe structure, the combination of a plurality ofhorizontally extending base plates having certain of their adjacent edgepor tions welded together, longitudinally extending members welded tosome of said base plates, transversely extending end and intermediatemembers welded to some of said base plates, and floor plates resting ontop of the longitudinally extending and the end and intermediate membersand secured thereto.

3. In an underframe structure, the combi nation of a plurality ofhorizontally extending base plates having their contacting edge Dortionswelded together, longitudinally extending members Welded to. the edgesof some of said base plates, transversely extending end members weldedto some of said base plates, and step structures located inside of. saidend members at the corners of the underframe, said step structures beingsupported by said base plates and said end members.

4. In an underframe structure, the combination of a plurality ofhorizontally extending base plates having their contacting edge portionswelded together, transversely extending end members welded to some ofsaid base plates, and coupler pockets welded to and supported solelyfrom said base plates and end members.

5. In an underirame structure, the combination of a plurality ofhorizontally extending base plates having their contacting edge portionswelded together, side members welded to the edges of the outermost baseplates, transversely extending end and intermediate members welded tosome of said base plates, and longitudinally extending bracing membersspaced inwardly from the side members and welded to certain of saidtransversely extending intermediate members.

6. In a locomotive underframe structure, the combination of a pluralityof horizontally extending base plates having their contacting edgeportions Welded together, longitudinally extending members welded to theedges of some of said base plates, and transversely extending end andspaced intermediate members Welded to some of said base plates, thespaces between the longitudinally extending, end and intermediatemembers being adapted to receive ballast bars which may be added toincrease the weight of the locomotive.

7. In a locomotive underframe structure, the combination of a pluralityof horizontally extending base plates having their contacting portionswelded together, longitudinally extending members welded to the edges ofsome of said base plates, transversely extending end and spacedintermediate members welded to some of said base plates, saidintermediate members being welded to the longitudinally extendingmembers, the spaces between the longitudinally extending, end andintermediate members being adapted to receive billets which may be addedto increase the weight of the locomotive, said billets being supportedon top of said base plates.

8. In a locomotive underframe structure, the combination of a pluralityof horizontally extending base plates having their contacting edgeportions welded together, side members welded to the edges of theoutermost base plates, transversely extending end members welded to theends of some of said base plates, spaced intermediate members welded tothe upper surfaces of the base plates and to the side members, thespaces between the side, end and intermediate members being adapted toreceive ballast bars which may :be added to increase the weight of thelocomotive, and floor plates secured to the upper surfaces of 8 theside, end and intermediate members serving to cover the spaces in whichthe ballast bars are placed.

9. In an underframe structure, the combination of a horizontallyextending main base plate, supplementary base plates located at eachside of the main base plate and resting on top of and welded to theedges thereof, side members welded to the outer edges of the supplementay base plates, and transversely extending members welded to the uppersurfaces of both the main and supplementary base plates, the end edgesof said transversely extending members being welded to the side members.

10. In an underframe structure, the combination of a horizontallyextending main base plate, supplementary base plates located at eachside of the main base plate and resting on top of and welded to theedges thereof, side members welded to the outer edges of thesupplementary base plates, transversely extending members welded to theupper surfaces of both the main and supplementary base plates, the endedges of said transversely extending members being welded to the sidemembers, and longitudinally extending members spaced inwardly from theside members and being welded to the upper surfaces of the supplementarybase plates and t0 the intermediate members.

11. In an underframe structure, the combination of a horizontallyextending main base plate, supplementary base plates located at eachside of the main base plate and resting on top of and welded to theedges thereof, side members Welded to the outer edges of thesupplementary base plates, transversely extending members welded to theupper surfaces of both the main and supplementary base plates and tosaid side members, said main base plate extending beyond saidtransversely extending members, end plates Welded to the outer ends ofsaid main base plate, and step structures located at each side of theunderframe between said transversely extending members and said endplates and supported thereby.

12. In an underframe structure, the combination of a plurality oftransversely extending plates, center bearings carried by two of saidplates, side members welded to the outer ends of said plates,transversely extending members welded to the upper surfaces of saidplates and having their ends welded to the side members, longitudinallyextending plates having their ends welded to the plates carrying thecenter bears ings, and longitudinally extending members welded to theupper surfaces of the longitudinally extending plates and having theirends welded to the adjacent transverse members.

13. In a locomotive underframe structure, the combination of a pair oftransversely extending base plates carrying center bearings, end baseplates spaced from the first named plates, side members welded to theends of all of the base plates, and transversely extending memberswelded to the upper surfaces of the base plates, the spaces between theside and transversely extending members being adapted to receive ballastbars which may be added when it is desired to increase the weight of thelocomotive, said bars being supported on said base plates.

14. In an underframe structure, the combination of a pair oftransversely extending plates carrying center bearings, side memberswelded to the outer ends of said plates, longitudinally extendingbracing members spaced inwardly from the side members, said bracingmembers extending the full length of the underframe and being welded tothe upper surfaces of said plates,

. and longitudinally extending plates welded to thelower surfaces ofsaid bracing members between the transversely extending plates and beingwelded to the latter.

15. In an underframe structure, the combination of a pair ofhorizontally extending base plates located at opposite ends of theunderframe, a pair of horizontally and transversely extendingintermediate base plates carrying center bearings, side members weldedto the upper end surfaces of said intermediate base plates,longitudinally extending bracing members spaced inwardly from the sidemembers and welded to the upper surfaces of said end and intermediatebase plates whereby ballast bars may be supported at the ends on saidbase plates and along side said side members and said longitudinallyextending bracing members.

16. In a locomotive underframe structure, the

- '10 combination of a pair of base plates located at opposite ends ofthe underframe, a pair of transversely extending intermediate baseplates carrying center bearings, side members welded to the ends of saidintermediate base plates, longitudinally extending bracing membersspaced inwardly from the side members and welded to the upper surfacesof said end and intermediate base plates, and transversely extendingmembers welded to the upper surfaces of the end and intermediate baseplates and having their ends Welded to the bracing members, the spacesbetween the latter and the transverse members being adapted to receiveballast barswhich may be added when it is desired to increase the weightof the locomotive, said ballast bars being supported on top of said endand intermediate base plates.

MARTIN P. BLOMBERG. OLAF J. STAMPEN.

